Public consultation opened on games classification
posted 14/12/09
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If you've been following the ongoing saga of the Australian games classification system, then this should be of interest. It appears that instead of one single person stifling debate, the Government is finally seeking the input of Australians for their opinion on the whole 'yes/no do we need a R18+ rating' for games debate.
If anything, at least a R18+ rating will create a uniform system across all media formats (movies, games, print etc) that better classifies games, stops the 'creep down' of potential games that should be rated R18+ into the MA15+ category and will hopefully also stop the complete failure of localised modifications such as Left 4 Dead 2.
For those of you still out there that thinks that this will automatically create a way for more violent games to automatically appear on our shelves, then I hope you're prepared to educate yourself on this topic a bit further and look at how films are classified here. Hopefully the lack of uniformity will be immediately obvious.
I recommend every XBW visitor grab the submission template, complete it and send it back.
Cheers, Shane.
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The Commonwealth Government has released a discussion paper which briefly summarises the key arguments for and against an R 18+ classification for computer games. Censorship Ministers have considered the issue of an adult classification for computer games on several occasions. However, they have not undertaken public consultation on this issue.
Submissions are being sought on whether the Australian National Classification Scheme should include an R 18+ classification category for computer games. Submissions can be made by downloading and completing the submission template. Submissions may also be mailed or faxed. The discussion paper and submission template contain the contact details for making a submission.
Submissions are invited by close of business 28 February 2010. Submissions received after the due date may not be considered.
To download the discussion paper and submission template, click here.
For a direct link to the MS Word version of the submission template, click here.
The MS Word file contains all the instructions needed to complete, and send your submission in.
